Twenty minutes after Himari returned home from the market, Mr. Hori arrived in his four-wheel drive. A bouquet of pink peonies and a jar of cookies were presented to Akemi by that man while Himari was watching from one side.
"You... you don't have to bring me these," Akemi looked at the beautiful flower bouquet. Her cheeks were as pink as the petals of the peonies.
"Well, your daughter said you like these," Mr. Hori looked stiff all of a sudden, "Err... You don't like these anymore?"
"No! No! I like these! Really!" Akemi quickly shook her head, "I like pink peonies."
"That's good," Mr. Hori breathed out in relief. He appeared as if he was relieved by a burden.
The silly yet naive interaction of these two made Himari giggled before she was silenced down by her mother's embarrassing glare.
Himari prepared some snacks and drinks before bringing them out to the yard. Both her mother and Mr. Hori were sitting on a wooden plank under a tree.
